It certainly didn't use to be that way. During the times
of "run what you brung", sponsorship wasn't the pedistal of NASCAR
that it is today. However, this philosophy alone brings much needed
dollars to a team in order for it to become or remain competitive.
In the end, we've all seen what happens when a car loses its
sponsorship: crash and burn. With that aside do we really need to
start tying up our court system over what appears on whose car?
Aren't there more important issues for our judicial system to be
handling? Indeed!
Budweiser, Miller Lite, and Coors Light. Jim Beam and Jack
Daniels. Sunoco, Shell, and Marathon. Alltel, Cingular, and
Nextel. See what I'm getting at here folks? NASCAR preaches the
need for diverse interests in order to keep the sport running, but as
of recent, only if it suits the governing body. Granted, Nextel is
the premier sponsor of the cup series, but before they took to the
head back in 2004, they grandfathered the aformentioned wireless
services. However, since AT&T has bought out Cingular Wireless,
warranting an over all change in name and design, NASCAR files a
lawsuit. High priced attorneys stating that the NASCAR fans will
be "confused" by the change. What's changed other than the name?
Then the question needs to be posed regarding the Nextel Cup
becoming the Sprint Cup for the 2008 season. Wouldn't we, as
uneducated, inbred hillbilly fans be just as confused by this as we
would Cingular being bought out by AT&T? Does anyone else see a
double standard here but I?
It's okay to have dueling beers, differing liquors, and feuding
fossil fuels, and some, but not all, wireless warriors as primary
sponsors? With no doubt, there's more to this argument than we'll
ever be privy, but it seems a shame that a sport we love and follow
so dearly, and readily dump our dollars into can't see us as even
being semi-educated. I would reckon I should follow nothing but
Busch races from now on, as I am a Verizon customer. THEY are
allowed to be a primary sponsor in that series. Niether you or I may
be able to make our own decisions regarding our wireless carrier if
we follow a driver in the Nextel, Sprint, Piss, or whatever, cup.
However rest assured we can booze it up, fill it up, and drive it
home!